Hope gone, Corby escapes her Bali cell to a world of fantasy

Tom Allard Kerobokan, Bali

ON A sweltering day at Kerobokan prison, the bond between its two most famous inmates, Schapelle Corby and Renae Lawrence, is unmistakable.

The gruff, no-nonsense Lawrence has become the protector of the childlike Corby, mentally tormented as her prospects of release on a wave of popular sentiment back home have faded.

Under the glare of the midday sun, Corby did not look well. She appeared much older than the previous time I saw her about six months ago. Her skin was covered in acne, possibly the result of the medication she is on.

Corby was, however, happy to see us. A week or so earlier she had thrown a bottle of water at reporters who tried to talk to her.

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Years ago, photographer Jason Childs had fetched Corby some McDonald's while she was waiting in a Denpasar holding cell for a court appearance and she remembered him.

She was upbeat, but clearly unhinged. ''Oooh, its superman,'' she cooed as this reporter came over to say hello.

''Clark Kent, maybe,'' I replied. ''I'm a reporter. I've got glasses. How about an interview?

Quick as a flash, Lawrence came over and did the rescuing, gently putting her arm around Corby and leading her away.

It's a relationship that has had its up and downs over the years. Just moments before she came to Corby's aid, Lawrence had been angrily denouncing a book by Corby's biographer Kathryn Bonella as ''full of lies''. The book alleged Lawrence, who is gay, enjoyed orgies in her ''queen-sized bed''.

Life is tough in the penitentiary's women's wing. Six or seven prisoners crowd each cell and, while there is a vegetable garden and common area with a television and a stove, they are rarely allowed to mix with the men, who enjoy far more expansive facilities.

According to her sister, Mercedes, Corby spends much of her time in a strange fantasy world.

''Everyone Schapelle sees, she thinks they are some kind of character,'' she said.

''She has bad days and days that are better, but she has no good days. She needs to be in a mental health facility.''

It's a plea Indonesian authorities have dismissed. There is no psychiatric hospital secure enough for her, they say.

Lawrence seemed weary but, in contrast with Corby, she has accepted her fate and made the best of things.

She was wearing a distinctive shirt with her name emblazoned on it to signify her status as a leader of the prison population.

Lawrence would love to serve her time back home. The Australian Government has been trying to secure a prisoner transfer agreement with Indonesia for years, but has got nowhere.

Lawrence and Corby are destined to be spending many more years together.